Wheel pie, also known aswheel cake (Chinese:車輪餅;pinyin:chēlún bǐng) and commonly known as "red bean cake" (Chinese:紅豆餅;pinyin:hongdou bǐng) by locals,[1][2] is a popularTaiwanese dessert that consists of a round,pancake-like pastry with sweet or savory fillings. Named for itswheel-like shape, it is common innight markets,street stalls, and bakeries throughoutTaiwan.[3]
Wheel pies are thought to be derived from theJapanese dessertimagawayaki (今川焼き), which was introduced to Taiwan during theJapanese colonial era (1895–1945). While influenced by its Japanese counterpart, wheel pies have since evolved to include distinctly Taiwanese flavours and adaptations. The dessert has become a staple snack enjoyed by people of all ages.[14]
Distinct local characteristics of Taiwanese wheel pies are its often smaller in size, and wider variety of fillings, including both sweet and savory options less common in Japan.[15] Additionally, Taiwanese vendors frequently experiment with modern flavors, such asmatcha,salted egg yolk custard, andmochi, making wheel pies a more versatile snack. The cooking methods and batter recipes may also differ slightly, resulting in wheel pies having a softer and fluffiermouthfeel compared to the denserimagawayaki.[16][17]
Wheel pies are made using a pancake batter poured into a circular mold on a specializedgriddle. The batter is cooked until it forms a golden-brown shell. A generous amount of filling is placed in the center, then another layer of batter is poured on top before the two halves are sealed together. The result is a fluffy, round pastry with a rich filling.[18]
Common fillings can be roughly divided into sweet fillings and savory fillings.[19][20][21][22]
Sweet:
Red bean paste (紅豆泥): A traditional filling made from sweetenedadzuki beans.
Custard cream (卡士達醬): A filling with creamy, sweetcustard that provides a smooth texture.
Chocolate (巧克力): A rich filling often favored by children.
Peanut butter (花生醬): A nutty, savory-sweet filling.
Taro paste (芋頭泥): A filling made from mashedtaro, offering a mildly sweet and earthy flavor.
Savory:
Dried radish (菜脯): A variation with dried preservedradish.
Shredded radish (蘿蔔絲): A variation with strips of radish.
Cheese and corn (起司玉米): A variation with melted cheese and corn kernels.
Ham and cheese (火腿起司): A fusion blending Western flavors.
Modern interpretations of wheel pies include innovative fillings such asmatcha,mochi, salted egg yolk custard, andEarl Grey milk tea.[23] Some vendors also create designs for specific holidays, incorporating unique shapes or decorations into the batter.[24]
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